Sexual Assault Case from Over 30 Years Ago Resurfaces Online
Actor Jo Jinwoong (49, real name Jo Wonjun) is facing allegations of having a juvenile criminal record, as a sexual assault case reported over 30 years ago is being revisited.
On December 5, a post referencing a newspaper article published on January 26, 1994, appeared on an online community. The article, titled "Three High School Students Arrested for Raping a Girl in a Stolen Car," reported that the Bangbae Police Station in Seoul had requested arrest warrants for three high school students on charges of special theft and robbery-rape at that time.
According to the report, the suspects lured teenage female students returning home by using a luxury car stolen near entertainment districts, sexually assaulted them, and stole their valuables. The crimes were committed a total of four times since November 1993, and it was found that the vehicle was abandoned after each incident.
Some internet users pointed out similarities between the incident described in the article and the report by Dispatch. On this day, Dispatch, citing informants, reported that Jo Jinwoong committed crimes such as sexual assault and theft during his high school years, received juvenile protection measures, and was sent to a juvenile detention center. The report also raised suspicions that Jo Jinwoong, who was known as a so-called "iljin" (school bully) during his school days, committed car theft with his group and was involved in a sexual assault case, facing a criminal trial in his second year of high school for robbery and rape under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Dispatch further reported that after becoming an adult, Jo Jinwoong, while still an unknown actor, was fined for assaulting a theater troupe member and had his driver's license revoked after being caught driving under the influence while intoxicated. Some informants speculated that he used his father's name, Jo Jinwoong, instead of his real name, to erase his serious criminal record from high school.
Jo Jinwoong's agency stated that it is currently verifying the facts. People Entertainment said, "We are checking the facts regarding the reported content," and added, "We will announce our official position as soon as it is confirmed."
Jo Jinwoong joined the theater troupe 'Dongnyeok' in 1996 and made his film debut in Chungmuro with "Once Upon a Time in High School" in 2004. Since then, he has appeared in numerous works including "Signal," "The Chaser," "Suspect X," "Believer," "Me and Me," and "The Policeman's Lineage." Jo Jinwoong is set to star in the tvN drama "Second Signal," which is scheduled to air next year.
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